I just dropped off preschool portraits to a bunch of families today. These kiddos were so fun to work with, and I love how their personalities shine through. For most of them, these were their first school portraits because no one was allowed inside for photos last year. I seriously can't get over the cuteness. It makes me wish my own kids were still that age — almost.
Five reasons to take photos this fall
I know it's still summer and my kids have only been in school for a week or so, but when I woke up this morning to take our puppy outside, it actually felt like fall! You can almost smell it coming -- those crisp mornings with a slight breeze where all you want to do is sip a cup of coffee, open up the windows and breathe it all in. And sure, by noon it's warm enough to shed that sweater and remind yourself that it really is still summer, but it's coming y'all.
And for more proof, the fall photo sessions are starting to book up. If you haven't scheduled yours yet, Click Here to send me a note and get on the calendar. Still unsure? Here are 5 reasons you should have your photos taken this fall:
1. Every family needs to have fall photos taken at least once. There's a reason every family photographer gets crazy busy this time of year -- fall family photos are simply beautiful. From the soft, warm shades of September to the amazing colors as the leaves change in October and even the earthy tones in November, there is something magical about every part of fall.
2. The neutral colors in fall will look great on your walls. You can showcase beautiful images of your family on your walls and guarantee a smile every time you walk by.
3. Most people look good in blue. And blue looks amazing with fall leaves. It's a great complimentary color to all of the golds, oranges and browns of fall. It also doesn't hurt that your skin might still have a little bit of that summer glow! :)
4. Wouldn't it feel great to have your holiday cards already figured out before it's even September? Seriously, you'll be the first ones to get them out this year. And you won't have to bribe everyone to smile for a last-minute family photo taken with your phone. (And as an added bonus, professional fall family photos make amazing Christmas gifts for grandparents!)
5. And let's face it, playing in the leaves is just down right fun. I'm talking the best smiles. Your kids will be laughing and having a blast -- and you will get to capture these moments forever.
So get booking! I'd love to hear from you!!
Summer the way it should be
Every summer I long for my kids to have the kinds of summers I remember. A time when there were no video games in our house or iPads or You Tube or even basic cable until I was 13.. A time when playing was easy. I would spend my days roller skating or riding bikes with other kids in the neighborhood, build a secret fort in a clump of trees nearby, or make up games to play on the driveway (one year it was hitting wooden croquet balls up the sloped blacktop in an attempt to hit the garage door -- which, unfortunately, did not go over so well). We would run through sprinklers in the yard during the day, catch fireflies in glass jars with holes poked in the lids at night and not come inside until it was past dark out.
So once baseball, hockey, dance, soccer and lacrosse finally come to an end in July, my summer list comes out. I don't sign my kids up for summer camps (with the exception of swim lessons because I feel that is like riding a bike -- you just have to do it). I want them to just be kids. I want them to get bored in the summer and have to come up with unscheduled things to do on their own. I want them to read books in a hammock, get dirty feet from playing outside and go to the local swimming pool with their friends. I want them to ride their bikes, swing as high as they can to try to touch the tree branches in the neighbor's yard and feel summer. Because the time is always shockingly short -- next week school starts.
So this summer we went tent camping with cousins and good friends, cooked dinner and roasted s'mores over a campfire, kayaked, leaped off the "jumping rock" into the lake, paddle boarded, played UNO and Pick Up Sticks a thousand times, picked raspberries, went canoeing, danced in wildflowers, had piggy back races, built sandcastles on the beach, ran a seven-minute mile, climbed ninja courses and hunted for trolls. It was the summer of dreams. And no one asked for the iPad.
FALL SESSIONS OPEN NOW
Fall sessions are officially open and they are going fast! Pull out your calendars and book your date now!! Bonus: you'll feel super on top of it because you will have your holiday card photos already figured out!
First Communion time
It's that time of year. Contact me for more details on First Communion packages.
Make prints!!
I just dropped off a gallery of canvases to this amazing family. They are planning to put them over their couch in the living room. Do you have a blank wall in your home? Fill it with big canvases of the ones you love. It will put a smile on your face every time you walk into the room.
A stroll along the Riverwalk
If you haven't been downtown to the Riverwalk recently, now that it's warming up a little you have to go! I absolutely loved this session!! We met there at 9 am on a Saturday this fall and it was the perfect time to go. There were only the occasional runners along the walk, but other than that, we had the entire place to ourselves. I hadn't been there since they renovated it and now I can't wait to go back. Saturday mornings are the perfect time -- you can get downtown easily, find great parking with Spot Hero and then grab some breakfast at one of the great spots in the Loop before heading to the Riverwalk. It's actually peaceful there before the rest of the city wakes up. After our photo session, the family planned to do the architectural boat tour and then grab some lunch before heading home. What a perfect day!
Your special place
When you spend much of your free time running, playing and strolling along this beautiful spot, it's only fitting that you capture your moments here. What special place means something to your family?
What a year it's been
The kids are back in school, our entire family has recovered from the flu, and now it’s time to take a deep breath and look back on all of the great moments from last year. What an amazing year it was!! Thank you for sharing all of your families with me and allowing me to capture so many images of laughter and love. Here are just a few of what made it so great.
Sweet siblings
I love when I get repeat clients and get to watch the kiddos grow from year to year. I first photographed these three when the youngest was just turning one. And now look at them. She can keep up with her big brother and sister no problem!
It was a gigglefest
Laughter may not fix everything, but it certainly helps.
Sweet generations | Elmhurst Family Photographer
I’ve known this family for 33 years. Back when we were kids and played in the sprinklers while our parents wheeled a communal juke box up and down the street to whichever house was having the next backyard BBQ. Now the kids have kids of their own. Their family is now complete.
Hello spring | Children Photographer
Every year spring officially starts for me with the daffodils blooming. There is still a chill in the air when the crocus and hyacinths first peek out of the ground. It’s like they are hinting that there is more to come. A few warm days in a row bring the magnolia blooms. And then come the daffodils. It’s a sign that the days are getting longer, the windows can stay open and everyone’s mood lifts just a little. Every year I eagerly wait and check the arboretum’s bloom report for their peak time. And then I drag my kids out to romp in the fields of yellow and white flowers. It’s become a family tradition now after five years. My son would much rather be playing street hockey or basketball on the driveway, but on this one day he puts all that on hold to please his mom. Thankfully, my kindergartner still loves running and leaping through the fields taking great pleasure in trying not to step on any blooms. To her, it’s still a great game. I’ll take it. Welcome back spring!
Feel like summer? | Chicago Children Photographer
Do these crazy warm temps in February have you thinking of what’s to come? It’s not to early to book your summer photo sessions now!
